The WIU Board of Trustees adopted FY2000 recommendations of $84,618,600 as
an operating budget and a capital budget request of $22,983,700 at its Aug.
21 meeting. The Board also adopted academic calendars for a five-year period.

The FY2000 operating budget of $84,618,600 recommended for WIU is an
increase of 8.8 percent over the FY99 appropriation of $77,776,000. Increases
are requested for expanding program offerings in the areas of virtual learning
technology through the Internet, expanding international education opportunities
and expanding the Faculty Development program into a Center for Excellence
in Teaching and Learning. Funding for general price and library material
increases and funding to provide for average salary increases of seven percent
for faculty and staff are also included in the proposed budget.

WIU Board budget recommendations will be forwarded to the Illinois Board
of Higher Education (IBHE). The IBHE proposes funding for WIU and other
Illinois public colleges and universities. Budget recommendations must be
approved by the General Assembly and Governor.

Academic calendars for the years 1999-2003 were approved by the Board.
The first day of class in the 1999-2000 year will be Monday, Aug. 23. Spring
semester 2000 classes will start Monday, Jan. 10, 2000. Spring graduation
in 2000 is Friday, May 5 for graduate students and Saturday, May 6 for undergraduates.
The subsequent years would have similar starting and ending dates. The
calendars reflect a shortened break between fall and spring semesters than
what is currently observed by the University. An eight-week summer session
is scheduled each year with classes of four-week and eight-week duration.

The Board adopted a resolution allocating a salary increase for WIU President
Donald S. Spencer, from $131,016 to $144,000 annually. The increase is effective
July 1, 1998. Spencer said he will be making a substantial contribution
from the increase to the WIU Foundation.

The Board adopted a change in regulations regarding sick leave, accepted
joint Procurement Rules of Illinois Public Universities and released executive
session minutes for the May 15, 1998 meeting.

The next regularly scheduled Board meeting is Friday, Nov. 20.

WIU Among State's Best in U.S. News and World
Report

Last year, WIU moved up a tier in the U.S. News and World Report's America's
Best Colleges edition, and this year Western stayed among the state's best.
Western remains ranked in the second tier of regional universities, including
both public and private schools, in the newest report.

U.S. News and World Report publishes a yearly edition (available in September)
devoted to the best colleges in the United States based on objective data
from extensive question-naires. The survey information, cross-checked with
other sources, evaluates such factors as average ACT scores, financial resources,
student retention rates, class size and selectivity in admissions.

"Western has again been recognized favorably in the latest edition
of the U.S. News and World Report's America's Best Colleges edition,"
said President Donald S. Spencer. "Last year we advanced to the second
tier for the first time in recent history. Being again recognized at this
level indicates we are maintaining our reputation for academic excellence
and strengthening our institution's position among all regional universities."

Among Illinois public institutions, WIU is joined on the second tier
by Eastern Illinois University. Except for the University of Illinois' campus
at UrbanaChampaign, no other public university in Illinois did so
well.

"Congratulations are again in order to the faculty and staff who
made this possible," Spencer said.

Evening with the President and Mayor Sept. 23

Campus and community members are invited to a social and informational
evening Wednesday, Sept. 23 at WIU.

The annual Evening with the President and Mayor, featuring WIU President
Donald S. Spencer and Macomb Mayor Tom Carper, will be held in the Union
Lamoine Room. A cash bar will open at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30
p.m. Spencer and Carper will provide brief comments and the Alumni Association
will announce the 1998 recipient of the WIU Honorary Alumni Award.

The Honorary Alumni Award is presented to an individual who is not a
WIU graduate but who has provided exceptional service to WIU and the community.
Previous recipients were Cathy Early (1997), Dennis Iverson (1994) and Dick
Miller (1995).

Participants have a meal choice of basil garlic chicken breast ($11)
or filet of orange roughy ($13). Tables of six may be reserved.

For more information or to make reservations by the Wednesday, Sept.
16 deadline, contact the WIU Alumni Association, 298-1914.

Focus on Harmony Day

"Creating Community Across Campus" is the theme for Focus on
Harmony Day, to be held Thursday, Sept. 17 in the Union Grand Ballroom.
The goal of this year's Focus on Harmony Day is to involve students, faculty,
staff and administrators in discussions about ways to build connections
between groups across campus and to strengthen intercultural communication
and interaction.

Dr. Maura J. Cullen, an education consultant whose doctoral research
at the University of MassachusettsAmherst was "Social Justice
and Diversity Education," will facilitate the day's events. She will
meet with faculty, administrators and staff from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and
lead a major presentationworkshop for the campus at large from 2 to
4:30 p.m. A reception will follow.

To reserve a space in the 8:30 a.m. session, contact Gloria Delany-Barmann,
Horrabin Hall 80, via cc:mail or campus mail. Faculty who wish to offer
the program as a class project or extra credit should contact Delany-Barmann
with the name of the course and number of students who will attend.

Title Change

The Office of Student Activities announces that Kimberly Branch's title
has been changed to assistant director of student activities. She will be
the lead Greek Affairs staff member.

"With the departure of Mel Kelly this summer, it was apparent to
me that Kimberly could successfully lead the Greek Affairs unit through
this transitional year," said Daniel Maxwell, director of student activities.

"Kimberly is a talented professional with a solid knowledge of the
national trends and policies of social Greek-letter organizations. I know
she will assist our student leaders in bringing the Greek community to meet
the challenges of the 21st century."

According to Norman Walzer, IIRA director, RETAC provides a stream of
up-to-date information on sales, employment, population trends and other
information essential to effective local decisions.

"To maintain viable and healthy downtowns, we work with development groups
to enhance markets for existing businesses and to attract new stores,"
explained RETAC manager Dan Walker. "Based on previous experiences, we
will work with more than 300 local organizations in the coming year to evaluate
local markets and their potential for expansion."

Campus Briefs

BCA 1998-99 Season Tickets Available Through Sept. 20

Season tickets for WIU's Bureau of Cultural Affairs' "cultural kaleidoscope"
may be purchased through Sept. 20.

Tickets for the year-long season, "A Cultural Kaleidoscope: From
Rock to Opera," are available through the University Union Box Office.
Season ticket patrons will enjoy zone one seating for 15 performances for
$65.

The Main Stage productions kick off Monday, Sept. 21 with Broadway's
"Smokey Joe's Café." The songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike
Stoller, such as Jailhouse Rock, are featured in this spirited rock and
roll show.

Based on Romeo and Juliet, the musical "West Side Story," set
against the gritty backdrop of gang warfare in New York City, comes to town
Monday, Oct. 5.

On Saturday, Oct. 24 (Family Weekend) Chuck Berry will take the stage
to sing such hits as Johnny B Goode and Maybeline. The frenzied skill and
precision of Irish dancers, "The Spirit of the Dance," will stomp
into town Tuesday, Nov. 10.

The perfect holiday season ballet, "The Nutcracker," will be performed
by the International Ballet Theatre Wednesday, Dec. 2. For a belated Valentine's
Day date, attend the Chicago Jazz Ensemble Friday, Feb. 19, part of the Jazz
Festival weekend.

"Madama Butterfly," performed by the New York City Opera Company,
will float into Western Hall Thursday, March 4. Chicago's River North Dance
Company will electrify the stage Friday, March 26 by creating an enticingly
new theatrical setting to explore human experiences.

Mr. Jack Daniels Original Silver Cornet Band, a recreation of an actual small
town band from Lynchburg, TN, will bring the sound of horns to the WIU campus
Thursday, April 22.

Season ticket patrons may also attend five Series Elite performances.

On Wednesday, Oct. 7 Livingston Taylor takes the stage in the Union Grand
Ballroom. Taylor, the younger brother of singer James Taylor, has won several
awards for his songwriting over a career that spans 23 years.

The National Shakespeare Company presents "The Taming of the Shrew"
Monday, Nov. 2. Ira Glass of National Public Radio's "This American
Life" will bring the most popular syndicated show on public radio to
the stage Sunday, Nov. 15. Glass' performance is co-sponsored by BCA and
WIUM/WIUW.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a South African a capella group, will perform
Wednesday, Feb. 24. The final performance of the Series Elite will be Wednesday,
April 7 when Kevin Mahogany and the WIU Jazz Studio Orchestra fill the Union
Grand Ballroom with the sweet sounds of jazz and blues.

To purchase season tickets, call the Union Box Office at 298-1254 between
8 a.m. and 7 p.m., seven days a week. For more information on BCA events,
call the Office of Student Activities, 298-3232.

Office of Student Activities

Open House Sept. 2

The Office of Student Activities (OSA) and the Student Government Association
(SGA), located on the first floor of the University Union, will host concurrent
open houses from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2.

The campus community is invited to meet student leaders and staff members
and hear new ideas for the school year. A list of events and activities
scheduled for the fall semester will be available.

Contact OSA at 298-3232 with questions.

LEJA Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Heading into its 30th year of operation, the WIU law enforcement and
justice administration (LEJA) faculty, students and alumni have a lot to
celebrate.

More than 6,300 professionals within various local, county, state and
federal law enforcement agencies, regulatory agencies, court systems, correctional
facilities, social services and the private sector earned their degrees
at Western.

"We are extremely proud of our department and the excellent reputation
we have worked so hard to secure," said Stephen Reinhart, LEJA's fifth
department chair, who also is a 1975 alumnus. "WIU's department of
law enforcement and justice administration graduates are recognized around
the world as some of the best.

"Our undergraduate internship program has allowed our students to
pursue careers around the globe, at all levels of federal and local law
enforcement and corporate security. Our graduate program is among the best
in the nation and is proud of both its diversity and outstanding professorstudent
relationships," Reinhart added.

LEJA is presently the largest academic department at WIU and the largest
undergraduate law enforcement program in Illinois and the region with more
than 1,200 undergraduate students pursuing degrees. The program also offers
full-time internships with more than 1,000 agency contacts.

In addition to preparing students through classes and internships, the
department publishes the Journal of Security Administration, operates the
Illinois Law Enforcement Media Center and directs the Illinois Law Enforcement
Executive Institute.

A variety of events related to the department's 30-year anniversary will
take place this year, culminating with an October 1999 anniversary ball.

Needlework and Fiberarts Exhibit Sept. 1113

A variety of textile items will be on display at the second High Flying
Fibers '98 Needlework and Fiberarts Exhibit to be held Friday through Sunday,
Sept. 1113 in the Union Grand Ballroom.

The exhibit, which will benefit the Radio Information Service (RIS) of
WIUM/WIUW, will showcase a wide range of fiber pieces reflecting the diversity
of fiber arts. Displays will include: counted cross stitch, various hand
woven items, rugs and a Roman shade, needlepoint pillows and framed pieces,
surface fabric dye pieces, hardanger and pulled thread items, quilts, crocheted
items, and old pieces incorporating techniques used by generations of artisans.

Show hours are noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday,
Sept. 12; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13. Demonstrations given by the
Argyle Sauk Embroiderers, the Macomb Fiberarts Guild and the Prairie Quilters
will occur between 1 and 4 p.m. each day. A drawing for the RIS annual
quilt raffle will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday. Raffle tickets for the quilt,
handmade by the Kalona, IA Amish, will be available up to the drawing time.

People's choice ribbon awards will be given daily. A $2 donation is requested
to enter the exhibit. For more information, call Dennhardt at 298-2403.

Faculty Recital

Music faculty members Monte Belknap, violin, and Michael Campbell, piano,
will present a program at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4 in the Browne Hall Hainline
Theatre.

The program is designed to appeal to young and old listeners, and features
the Frank violin sonata, the Suite Italiane by Stravinsky, and two violin
show pieces: Wieniawski's Scherzo-Tarantella, and Paganini's Le Streghe,
which is the Witches Dance simplified in the Suzuki repertoire.

Casa Latina Open House

Casa Latina will host an open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Aug.
28. The campus community is invited. Refreshments will be provided. Call
298-3379 for more information.

Art Exhibit

Sam Parker, art professor emeritus, has an exhibit entitled "Surreality"
at the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, 305 SW Constitution Avenue, from
September 5 through October 31.

A reception to open the exhibit will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday,
Sept. 5 at the art center.

Reminder

If you know of an employee within your area or division who is hospitalized;
who experiences the loss of a spouse, child, father or mother; or, who has
passed away; please share this information with the President's Office,
298-1824.

Correction

In last week's Campus Connection, there was an error in the Fall 1998
Calendar on page 1. Thanksgiving vacation will be Monday through Friday
Nov. 23-27.

Campus Connection - August 28, 1998
Faculty and Staff Section

Table of Contents

Fall 1998 Competition

The University Research Council announces its fall 1998 competition.
The deadline is noon, Thursday, Oct. 8. The original plus 10 copies of the
completed application must be delivered to the Office of Sponsored Projects,
Sherman Hall 320. Copies of the application package may be obtained from
department chairpersons or the Office of Sponsored Projects.

Title Change

The Office of Student Activities announces that Kimberly Branch's title
has been changed to assistant director of student activities. She will be
the lead Greek Affairs staff member.

"With the departure of Mel Kelly this summer, it was apparent to
me that Kimberly could successfully lead the Greek Affairs unit through
this transitional year," said Daniel Maxwell, director of student activities.

"Kimberly is a talented professional with a solid knowledge of the
national trends and policies of social Greek-letter organizations. I know
she will assist our student leaders in bringing the Greek community to meet
the challenges of the 21st century."

According to Norman Walzer, IIRA director, RETAC provides a stream of
up-to-date information on sales, employment, population trends and other
information essential to effective local decisions.

"To maintain viable and healthy downtowns, we work with development
groups to enhance markets for existing businesses and to attract new stores,"
explained RETAC manager Dan Walker. "Based on previous experiences,
we will work with more than 300 local organizations in the coming year to
evaluate local markets and their potential for expansion."

Service and Awards

Beth Ann Leaf, adult education service center, has been accepted into
the International Correctional Education Association's Professional Development
Directory. The directory provides contacts for correctional facilities in
the U.S. and Canada for staff development purposes.

Leaf is one of two people listed in the directory from a five-state region
which includes Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky.

Daniel Maxwell, office of student activities, has been appointed by the
Association of Fraternity Advisers (AFA) to the position of Association
of College Unions International (ACUI) liaison for 1999. He will keep AFA
informed on the professional programs and services available through ACUI.